1220s1230s

The 1220s and 1230s represent a decade each in the 13th century. These periods were marked by significant developments across various regions of the world, continuing trends from the preceding decades and setting the stage for future events.

In Europe, the 1220s saw the continued consolidation of royal power in some kingdoms, alongside the ongoing development of universities and scholasticism. The aftermath of the Fourth Crusade and the Albigensian Crusade still resonated, influencing political and religious landscapes. The 1230s witnessed further papal influence and the expansion of Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula. Trade routes were expanding, and urban centers were growing in importance.

Across the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the Ayyubid Sultanate continued to exert its influence, though internal dynamics and external pressures remained significant. The Mongol Empire, under Genghis Khan's successors, was in a phase of rapid expansion during this period, its influence beginning to be felt far beyond its initial territories.

In East Asia, the Southern Song dynasty in China continued its existence, facing ongoing challenges. The Mongol expansion was a dominant force, with campaigns and conquests shaping the political map. Japan, while largely insulated from direct Mongol invasion at this time, would later experience the impact of these expanding empires.

Globally, these decades were a time of significant political, economic, and cultural shifts, influenced by warfare, religious movements, and expanding trade networks. The foundational elements of many later historical narratives were being laid during this 20-year span.